Riverside Church

The River Greet flows past this red-brick Victorian church on the outskirts of Southwell, and it's worth stopping if you're already in the area rather than making a special trip. Inside, the decor is straightforward - nothing fancy, but there's a genuine warmth to it that many newer churches lack. The real appeal comes if you're walking the riverside paths around Southwell itself, where the church slots nicely into a longer afternoon wandering the Nottinghamshire countryside.

Historians and church enthusiasts will find it interesting enough for twenty minutes or so. The Victorian architecture is solid rather than spectacular, though the location itself has character. Families with young kids will get restless quickly unless they're already keen on older buildings. What works best is combining it with a stroll along the riverbank - bring a packed lunch and make an afternoon of exploring Southwell's quieter edges.

If you're staying at New Hall Farm just up the road, it's an easy ramble to pop over and have a look, particularly on a dry day when the riverside walk isn't muddy. The admission situation is unclear from here, but most village churches operate on an honesty box if they charge at all. Check locally before you go, as opening hours can be erratic. It's the sort of place that rewards a wandering afternoon rather than a planned pilgrimage, but Southwell itself has enough going on that you won't be stuck for things to do.